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Superior formability, fabrication and tooling quality makes Kydex® the best choice for countless projects: Kydex® can be thermoformed, post formed, brake formed and laminated. Provided by Interstate Plastics.

Using standard tools, Kydex® thermoforming sheets can be drilled, vacuum formed, brake formed or punch pressed.Kydex® is a machinable thermoplastic that can be molded to form fit just about any shape imaginable without expensive tools and machinery. Kydex® can reduce the number of individual parts needed in many applications, thereby reducing assembly costs.

Kydex® applications range from aviation and transit interiors, medical equipment and building interiors to furniture and fixtures. A very popular use for Kydex® involves thermoforming gun holsters and knife sheaths, for which many customers have found various applications for at-home Kydex® vacuum forming solutions, described on this page below.

Kydex® can be used as protection from electrical shock and has multiple equipment housing applications for tools such as electrical welders that require durability and high impact strength.

Kydex® is very easy to clean: tough stains, scuffs, and graffiti can be gotten rid of using strong cleaners with no staining or surface damage to the material. Kydex® sheets are also available with fire ratings of ul94v-o and 5v. Kydex® is used by the orthopedic industry for braces.

No other thermoplastic sheet stands up to impact, scratches, and gouging like Kydex®.

• Among the most rigid of thermoforming materials as demonstrated by its high modulus of elasticity

• Available in multiple gauges from .028"

• Distinctive cell texture

• Multiple colors available

• Cost effective

• Effective for pressure forming

• Meets 94 V-0 requirements

Kydex® Applications

Applications range from gun and knife holsters and sheaths; medical equipment to housings and aircraft trays, tables and fixtures.

• Gun holsters and knife sheaths

• Thermoformed equipment housings

• Flat laminated panels of all types

• Kick plates and push plates

• Exhibits and kiosks

• Aircraft, bus, automotive, and train interior parts

• Membrane pressed components

• Work stations

• Pedestals and stands

• Furniture components

Bending and Vacuum Forming Kydex®:

Bending and Forming:

Kydex® can be easily cut to size by scoring and cutting sheets with a razor or similar knife.

The only absolute requirement for bending and forming Kydex® is heating the sheet until soft, when the material becomes formable. Heat guns and toaster ovens have proven the best DIY method for our customers. A microwave creates heat through resonating water molecule frequency, therefore it will not work for Kydex® , as there is a lack of moisture in the material.

Kydex® must not exceed 400F, and forms best between 330F and 350F for thicknesses 0.060" or smaller. Thicknesses up to 0.125" form better around 350F to 385F. The most frequent problem is trying to heat the sheet too quickly, particularly on the primary surface; heat should be applied slowly. Ideally the core sheet temperature should be within 10°F of the surface temperature.

Some sheets may heat up faster or slower than others. Overlapping sheets may stick together.

Kydex® can then simply be placed over or around the item to be contained, and pressed until cool. This process could involve a shop press, using plywood to keep an object between two Kydex® sheets in place, or a top weighted enclosure press (e.g. an MDF press).

Although Kydex® may seem firm and hardened sooner, at least 10 hours should be allowed for cooling.

Vacuum Molding Process:

The vacuum molding process uses vacuum pressure to suck the Kydex® down and around a mold or part. Vacuum tables are required and vary in price and size from large industrial vacuum tables, to small shop tables, and even ones easily made at home.

Customers have found success creating their own vacuum tables by attaching an aluminum pan with drilled holes to a piece of plywood. A hole is in cut into the plywood to allow a shop vacuum to be inserted. The bottom of the pan (now facing upward) creates a surface the mold is placed on. The vacuum pressure will pull heated Kydex® over and around the placed mold or object.

The finished product must be left to firm and harden for at least 10 hours.

Physical Properties of Kydex®

Property

General Purpose

Specific Gravity

1.35

Tensile Strength

6100 psi

Elongation at Break

80%

Flexural Strength

9100 psi

Modulus of Elasticity

320 ksi

Izod Impact, Notched

10 (ASTM D-256)

Heat Deflection Temp.

137F

Forming Temp.

325-290F

Mold Shrinkage

0.4-0.6%

*Values listed are typical and are meant only as a guide to aid in design. Tests done on 0.125" thick Kydex® 200 General Purpose Sheet. Field testing should be performed to find the actual values for your application.

Chemical Resistance of Kydex®

From sulfuric acid to brake fluid to carbon tetrachloride, KYDEX® thermoplastic alloy is more resistant to a wider range of concentrated chemicals than any other thermoplastic

R = Resistant | L = Limited Resistance | N = Non-Resistant

Chemical

General Purpose

Hydroflouric Acid

R

Pechloric Acid

R

Sulfuric Acid

R

Nitric Acid 70%

R

Acetic Acid 5%

R

Citric Acid 10%

R

Sodium Hydroxide 10%

R

Potassium Hydroxide

R

Sodium Carbonate 2%

R

Skydrol Hydraulic Fluid

N

Motor Oil

R

Brake Fluid

R

Coffee

R

Gasoline

R

Hydrocloric Acid

R

Sodium Chloride 10%

R

Ethyl Alcohol 95%

R

Carbon Tetrachloride

L

Toluene

N

Heptane

R

Tichloroethylene

N

Lube Oil

R

Water, Hard/Soft

R

Transmission Fluid

R

Ammonia

R

Isopropyl Alcohol

R

Jet Fuel

R

*Values listed are typical and are meant only as a guide to aid in design. Typically accurate at 73F. Field testing should be performed to find the actual values for your application.